Hello folks, been reading this forum the past few months. Love the looks of downeast style boats. Right now I have a 22ft Edgewater center console and boat out of Freeport long island (70% fishing, 30% cruising). Normally fish inshore, the back bays, inlet, ocean (3 to 5 miles out) for fluke and stripers. Have been operating a boat now for 5 years, and each year try to venture a little bit further.

The wife likes being on the water, but she doesn't like cruising at high speeds and she really doesn't like spray back, which happens often when cruising 10 to 12 knots in a center console.

I'm looking for a boat in the 24 to 26 foot range, with a budget of $110K. Doesn't have to be a speed demon 20-23 knots when the wife isn't on the boat. However, i do have two sons which are 6'2 and 6'3 so headroom is important. I've only operated outboard boats. Talking to a few people and they have been referring me to Eastern, Parker, and Steiger Craft, but i don't think these are true downeast style boats, more of a deep vee style planning hull.

Welcome to the DBF! I think skyeboat has a great suggestion with a Fortier 26. If you still require additional head room with the optional hard top arrangement, it should not be difficult to obtain with minor modifications to the frame of the top.

Mojotank - welcome from another long islander.. Good suggestions above by the guys. They have much more experience but I did fish on a Fortier 26 a few times and it's an awesome boat and may be perfect for what you want. I think you will have to deal with an engine box but they are great boats in that range. I also took a ride on 28 BHM - El Mar suggested you consider. Bigger boat all around I felt but as he pointed out - likely slower. Maybe better for your boys given their size. I think the Fortier's draft might be better for south shore sand bars too.
Just my 2cents. Welcome

Good thing about this site is the range of people looking. Some who want a 32 footer ready to go for less than $50k, others 40 ft with a budget of $400k plus, and those in the middle like you, 24-26 with a healthy budget! You shoul get a lot of links to boats from here with that budget!

If you do find some options throw them up here for feedback, 90% chance folks will own same or similar or even know the specific boat first hand.

Here this 26 webbers. good sea boat. Bet it cruises pretty close to 20 knots, if not 20, with this power. Big spacious helm with 10'6 beam, 6'2 headroom and no engine box. Some $'s left in the budget to clean her up/make fishier, maybe change that house to enclosed wheelhouse.

Mojo,
I have a 2007 seaworthy/bhm 28 with yanmar 315. I am located West Islip NY. Feel free to reach out to me for any info or ride along or even to look at my boat. There are plenty of photos in the picture area of DEBF of my boat. Also Squid711 (Mike) on DEBF has a 26 General Marine kept in Bayshore if your interested.
Roy

what about a nice 31? sounds like you have a nice chunk to spend. you can buy a really nice boat for that budget. also the 25 isn't going much places that the 31 cant with all the downeasters having keels.

You have lots of options within your budget, the biggest challenge will be your cruise speed requirements, especially in the 25 to 26' range. Besides our 25s and 26s, other hulls that can cruise at those speeds, to the best of my knowledge, are the AJ 28, northern bay 25 and 28, and the duffy 26, and the Seaworthy 28.

If you decide you want a bigger boat, South Shore Dry Dock has this '99 31 Duffy that we finished and price and speed are in your range too. I havent seen the boat recently but it looks really good in the pictures and the hours are low.